Slating and synchronizing method and system



W. THOMAS Nov. 24, 1942.

SLATING AND SYNCHRONIZING METHOD AND SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Shee't l CAMERA I POWEESWRCE W 9 7 N i gwuc ntm WLL/AM THO/M5 Nov. 24, 1942.

SLATING AND SYNCHRONIZING METHOD AND SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2, 1940 W. THOMAS Sheets-Sheet 2 gvwem tm T V/Ll. IAM THoM/is the desired effect.

Patented Nov. 24, 1%?42 SLATING AND SYNGHRONIZING DIETHOD AND SYSTEM William Thomas, Glendale, CaliL, assignor to Badio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1940, Serial No. 364,087 11 Claims. (01. 38-162) This invention relates to motion picture apparatus and particularly to a method of and means for marking or identifying motion picture film and for synchronizing corresponding picture and sound films.

In the art of motion picture studio production I it is well known that the picture and sound sequences are originally taken on separate films and that each of these films must be marked so that it may be subsequently and properly combined in the final composite print. It is also well known that certain sequences are repeated several times in view of errors committed by actors or because of changes desired by the director.

Thus, each sequence or take of the same scene this information is necessary to the laboratory in 1 order to permit them to process the film to give Thus, each take should be readily and quickly marked with the required information, and the synchronization or start marks should be quickly applicable in such a manner as I to facilitate the later combining of the films for editing or printing.

In the past, the usual practice for marking a take has been by the use of a slate, which is a board upon which appears the title of the picture,

the names of the director and camerman, the production number and other information. This slate generally has a hinged board which is called a clapperstick, the two parts of which are brought together when the slate is held in front of the camera to provide a synchronization mark on the picture film by the image of the stick contacting the slate and a corresponding mark on the sound track film by the noise made by the contacting action. This method has been found undesirable because the slate is not always held in focus, the synchronization marks are not too readable, and the maneuver of placing the slate in front of the camera and the noise made thereby is disturbing to the actors just prior to their going into the is always in proper focus at the desired intensity to produce a readable image, and which provides positivesynchronization marks which are much more accurate than those made by the clapperstick method. The impression of the slate and synchronization mark images may be impressed on the respective films substantially without the knowledge of the actors, so there is no disturbing factor involved. The device is applicable to any camera and is simply and quickly operated. It is also unnecessary for any operator to be in the scene for slating purposes, while only the film used in bringing the camera up to speed precedes the action since the slating is accomplished on this normally unused portion of the film.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to facilitate the slating of motion picture film.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the production of synchronization marks on corresponding picture and sound films.

Another object of the invention is to combine the operation of slating and synchronizing of motion picture and sound films without annoyance to the actors in a particular scene being photographed.

A further object of the invention is to produce a silhouette type of slate which is in focus at all times and of the proper illumination to produce a positive mark on the picture film.

A further object of the invention is to electrically control a slating and synchronizing device for motion picture and sound film production.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the appended claims, the manner of its organization and the mode of its operation will be better understood by referring to the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a view of the invention attachedto a camera;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit employed in the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sound producer taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the slating and synchronizing device taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4 taken along the line 5-5 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the slate out of registering position;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of the slate partly in cross-section as viewed bythe camera means of a handle I1.

adapted to be placed along grooves 38.

lens and taken along the line I1 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the lens-positioning mechanism.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a camera 5 may be of any standard type upon the front of which is mounted a pair of shade or matt box supporting rods 6 and 1. Supported on a bracket I having ears I I and I2 with openings therein to accommodate the rods 6 and 1 is the shade or matt box I4. The box I4 is normally employed on cameras without the slating device of the invention to act as a light shade for the camera lenses. The box l4, therefore, is flared outwardly to accommodate the viewing angle of the camera lens.

Mounted on lower brackets of the matt box I4 is a slating and synchronizing device I6 shown positioned in an operative relationship in Figs. 1 and 5, and in a non-operative position in Fig. 6, the slate being moved into these positions by The handle I1 rotates a shaft I9 on which is mounted a hollow sleeve 26 adapted to be rotated with shaft I9. The slate box I6 is mounted upon two pairs of flat rods 2|, 22, 23 and 24, the members 2I and 22 being pivotally fixed at their lower ends, rod 2I being shown so connected at 26 to a bracket 21 in Fig, 5. The other connecting members 23- and 24 are relatively slidable in grooves 29 in the slate box. As shown in Figs. and 6, the member 23 slides relative to the point 36 as the slate box is lowered. Thus, rotation of the handle I1 will position the box I 6 either in the position shown in Fig. 6 or in the position shown in Fig. 5, the linkage elements 2 I, 22, 23 and 24 controlling the movement of the box. By the particular connection of the linkage elements, the slate box is raised as it is brought to its registering position. In its inoperative position, however, as shown in Fig. 6, it will be accommodated in the bottom flared side of the matt box, thereby leaving the space in the rectangular portion of the matt box for the insertion of filters, etc.

The slate box itself is composed of two end members, one of which is shown at 34 in Fig, 5, a back plate 35 having two narrow openings, one of which is shown at 36 in Fig. '1, and a centrally disposed large opening into which a slide 31 is That is, the slide 31 may be interchanged with other similar slides to provide different semi-permanent information, as will be explained hereinafter. The other side of the box comprises a cover member 48 having a plurality of openings therein, as shown in Fig. 4, this cover member being adapted to slide along the end members and be held in position by a finger screw 4|. Mounted within the lower section of the box is an electrical contact base 44 (see Fig. '1) into which three elongated lamps 45, 46 and 41 are fastened. The lamp 46 is behind the slide 31 for illuminating the indicia thereon. Lamp 45 is adapted to be inserted within a sleeve or cylinder 51 attached to the upper end 48 of the cover 49, while lamp 41 is positioned within a sleeve similar to 51. The sleeve 51 has two elongated slits diametrically opposed, one of which is shown at 50, the sleeve having mounted thereon a series of rings or collars SI, 52, 53, 54 and 55 as shown in Fig. '7. Rings 5I, 52 and 53 bear two pairs of numeral indicia, while rings 54 and 55 bear letter indicia, all of which are cut so as to present light silhouettes of the numerals and letters to the camera lens. Each ring or collar has a knurled flange, as shown at 58 and 59, for turning and securing in position the rings from the'front of the lamps 45, 46 and 41.

side of the box as shown in Fig. 4. By the use of two pairs of indicia, respective numerals and letters being diametrically positioned, the operator can easily set up the slate from the side visible to the operator.

A similar plurality of indicia is positioned around lamp 41, this indicia having two rings of numerals, as shown at 60 and 6I, and an elongated ring which bears a plurality of words. one of which is shown at 62. These words may be such as nite, "day, dawn, and dusk, etc., to indicate to the processor in the laboratory the type of processing to bring out the effect desired. These rings also have duplicate sets of indicia or words diametrically opposite one another so that the operator, by turning the respective knurled flanges, such as shown at 58 and 59, can properly position the corresponding number or letter in front of the camera lens.

The shaft I9 rotates worm gear 64, which rotates pinion 65 meshing therewith. Rotation of the pinion 65 rotates shaft 66 on which the pinion is mounted, the shaft raising and lowering one end of an arm 61, to which is attached a pin 1I adapted to slide in a groove 68 (see Fig. 8). This action raises and lowers a lens 69 mounted in a support 10. The lens support is guided in grooves 12. Thus, movement of the handle I1 not only positions the slater box I6 in the positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6, but also raises and lowers the lens 69, this lens being a collimating lens adapted to focus the indicia of the slate upon the film. By the proper selection of a gear ratio, the lens 69 could be rigidly mounted to lever 61. It is to be noted that a series of marks 13 are inscribed upon the rods 6 and I, which marks indicate the position of the matt box I4 in accordance with the focal length of the lens in assembly 8. In this manner the collimating lens 69 will always focus the slate indicia upon a film since the slate will be positioned in accordance with the focal length of the lens being used.

On the end of a shaft I9 is a switch box I5 having a cable 16 leading therefrom. From the switch 15 connections are made to the terminals Thus, the operation of the lever I1 will actuate the switch as the slate box I6 is raised, the lamps being extinguished when the slate box is in the non-registering position shown in Fig. 6.

Referring again to Fig. 1, a cable 16 is shown extending to a switch box 18 having a switch 19 and a telltale light therein. From the switch box 18, a cable 82 extends to a power source, preferably a direct current source, while a cable 83 extends to a clapper box 84 having a handle 85 for suspending it to a microphone boom, for instance.

The box 84, shown in cross-section in Fig. 3, comprises a solenoid 86 with a movable plunger armature 81, the solenoid being connected to the cable 83. In the upper portion of the box 84 and enclosed by a screen 88 is a wooden sounding block formed of a shell 89 having a lower contact surface 96. The section 96 is connected .to the portion 89 at the ends, providing openings 9| and 92 along the sides. When the solenoid 86 is energized, the plunger 81 is rapidly raisedto strike the section 99 and provide a sharp staccato sound, the nature of this sound being particularly desirable for effecting the sound recording element, as it is a rapidly damped impulse.

Referring again to Fig. '7, it will be noted that an opening 94 is shown in the slide 31, this opening being normally covered by a plate 95. The plate 85 is pulled downwardly magnetically to expose light from the lamp 46 to the film through opening 94 upon actuation of a soles noid 91, the plate 95 being restored to its normal-covering position by a spring 98. Actuation of the solenoid 91 and the solenoid 86 is simultaneous, as will now be explained.

Referring to Fig. 2, in which the circuit of the system is shown, the power source supplies power to the switch box 18 over the pair of conductors 82 across which is positioned the telltale light 80 to indicate that the'power is on. In one of the conductors a resistance 99 is connected so that the switch 19 may either be connected directly to the power source or to the power. source through the resistance. The purpose of this resistance is to vary the intensity of the lamps 45, 4E and 41 according to whether or not the camera is set up to photograph exteriors or interiors. That is, when the camera is photographing an exterior or an extremely brightly illuminated scene, the camera lens aperture will be diminished. It is thus desirable to increase the illumination of the slating device and this is done by throwing the switch 19 to the righthand position.- Should the camera be photographing an interior scene in which the lens aperture is larger, then the slate illumination may be decreased by connecting the resistance 99 in the lamp circuit,

As shown in Fig. 2, the lamps are energized from the switch 19 over conductors IOI, I02 and I03, through the switch 15, this switch being the one mounted on the shaft 20 and actuated by the handle I1. Another circuit exists from the power source over conductor I05, through clapper solenoid 86, cbnduct'or I06, through a switch I01, solenoid 91, conductor I03, switch 15 and conductor I02. Switch I01 only completes the circuit after switch 15 has been closed. Switch I01 is mounted in the handle I1 and actuated by the thumb plunger I08.

Thus, to operate the slating and synchronizing device, the switch 19 is thrown to either the rightor left-hand position according to the nature of the scene being photographed; Then the picture camera and sound recorder are started; the handle I1 is actuated to .place the slate box IS in photographing position, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5; and, when the signal is given that the films are running at their correct speed and synchronism, the switch I01 is closed by pressing on plunger I08, which actuates the solenoids 86 and 91 for marking the picture and sound films. The solenoid 06 actuates its plunger element 81- to make a noise which is picked up by the microphone on the boom, thusplacing a mark on the sound film. Simultaneously, the solenoid 91 removes the plate-95 from the apertureflfl, thus'allowing the picture film to have a mark impressed thereon in at least one frame which corresponds, of course, with the sound track mark made by picking up the noise from mal sound recording apparatus.

and a letter identifying the particular sound track, and another number to identify the camera being used. The third line of the slide may give the name of the director; the next line, the name of the chief cameraman; and the last line, the name of the-first assistant cameraman. Thus, should any cameraman be changed during the taking of the picture or other conditions vary, a new slide 31 may be punched and inserted in the slate box, although, as a general rule, one slide is sufilcient for one picture or a large portion of it.

The upper three rings shown to the right in Fig. '1 providea three-digit number to indicate the scene number of the script, while the lower two-letter rings designate wild or non-sound shots. The other rings of indicia shown on the left in Fig. '1 also provide desired information, such as the take number of one particular scene, while the four wordsday, dawn, nite, or dusk.-indicate to the laboratory what photographic effect is desired. To vary any particular indication, the knurled rings need only be adjusted.

Thus, the above combination slate and synchronizing device may be quickly and simply operated without creating any disturbing effects upon the actors of the scene. Also, the film is exposed to brilliantly lighted silhouettes of letters and numerals which will give a sharp positive image upon the film, the image always being in proper focus. Since the slate fills the entire frame, it also fills the projection screen, making it easily readable. The device may be attached to any motion picture camera of standard design and will operate therewith with nor- The invention saves film since the film passing through the camera during the acceleration period is used for slating, while with the clapperstick slate method, it was necessary to wait until the film reached photographing speed before the slate was held in front of the camera. Thus, this method not only saves film but time, as the action may begin as soon as the film is up to speed.

The present invention is particularly useful where a group of cameras are simultaneously photographing a scene, because it was always a problem and took considerable time, to get a slate properly in front of all the cameras. Now each camera has its own slate and as the synchronizing circuit may be connected between cameras, one cameraman can give the synchronizing signal for all of them.

Itis also to be understood that the actuation of switch I01 may be accomplished electrically.

or that the switch may be located at a remote point, such as at the sound recorder, while the slate itself may be automatically removed when the filmsare up to speed. For instance, the slate may be.placed in registering position, as shown in Fig. 5, and -latched against spring tension; and then the signal from the sound recorder operator that the films are'up to speed could release the latch, removing the slate and simultaneously film in said camera, means for energizing said light source when said indicia are in registering position on saidcamera film, a sound producer, means for simultaneously exposing a certain one of said light silhouettes tosaid camera film and actuating said sound producer for simultaneously marking said camera film and the film in said sound recorder, means for simultaneously positioning a lens between said indioia and said film for focusing said indioia on said film, and means for controlling the energization of said light source during the positioning of said indioia in registering position.

2. A slating and synchronizing system for a motion picture camera and sound recorder comprising a slate for said picture camera having indioia and a light source, means for positioning said indioia intermediate said picture camera film and said light source for producing light silhouettes of said indioia, means for controlling the energization of said light source, means for generating sound waves, means for exposing film in said picture camera to light, and means included in said positioning means for simultaneously controlling the actuation of said sound wave generating means and the exposing of said film in said picture camera film to light whereby the films in said picture camera and said sound recorder are simultaneously marked.

3. A slatting system for a motion picture camera focused on a scene to be photographed comprising a shade box attached to said camera, a slating device adapted to be inoperatively positioned along one side of said shade box, said slating device including a light source and a plurality of indioia, means for positioning said slate in registering position with respect to said camera, a sound producer, means actuated by said slate positioning means for focusing said slate on said camera film during the positioning slate on said camera film during the positioning of said slate in a registering position, and means in said slate positioning means for simultaneously controlling the energizing of said light source and said sound producer.

4. A slating system in accordance with claim 3 in which said slate positioning means comprises a manually operated lever adapted to move said slate from one side of said shade box into a registering position normal to the optical axis of said camera lens and adapted to move said focusing means into operative position, said means including a switch adapted to be closed for energizing said light source during the movement of said slate into registering position.

5. A slating device for a motion picture camera comprising a box having fixed end sections, a side section having narrow elongated side openings and a centrally disposed larger opening, a cover section having a plurality of sleeves therein having diametrically opposed elongated openings, a plurality of manually rotatable rings mounted on said sleeves bearing indicia. and a plurality of lamps adapted to be accommodated within said sleeves for passing light through said indicia.

6. A slating device for a motion picture cam-, era comprising a rectangular box having fixed end sections, a removable cover having a side section, said side section having openings there-i in, a fixed'side section having elongated side openings and a larger centrally disposed opening, a slide having indioia punched therein adapted to be inserted in said centrally disposed opening, a plurality of adjustable means having identical indioia diametrically opposed corresponding indicia simultaneously appearing in said elongated openings in said fixed section and in the openings in said side section of said cover, and a plurality of lamps within said adjustable means for simultaneously passing light through said diametrically opposed indicia.

7. A slating device in accordance with claim 6 in which said adjustable means includes rotatable rings in which said indioia is punched.

8. Motion picture apparatus comprising means for producing light silhouettes of indioia, means for positioning said indioia in position for registration on a motion picture film, means for focusing said indioia on said film, means tor varying said indioia, a light source, a source of sound, means {or controlling the energization of said light source during the positioning of said indioia in registering position, and means for simultaneously controlling the exposure of one of said silhouettes on said film and actuating said source of sound.

9. A motion picture sister and synchronizing system comprising means for producing indicia. adapted to be photographed by a motion picture camera, means for illuminating said indioia with a light intensity dependent on the scene being photographed, means for producing a light impulse adapted to be photographed by said motion picture camera, means for aflecting a film in a second camera, and means for electrically controlling the simultaneous actuation of said light impulse producing means and said means for aflecting said film in said second camera for slmultaneously marking said films.

10. A motion picture sister in accordance with claim 9 in which said means for affecting said film in said second camera comprises a sound wave generator having a predetermined frequency characteristic.

11. A slating and synchronizing device for a motion picture film and a sound film comprising a shade box for a camera, a slate box adapted to be interiorly illuminated, said slate box normally occupying a position along one-side of said shade box, means for moving said slate box to a position normal to the optical axis or said camera, said means including means for controlling the illumination of said slate box, means for focusing said slate box on the film oi said camera, a sound producer, and means for momentarily light impressing said film from said slate box and simultaneously actuating said sound producer for marking said picture and sound films.

WILLIAM THOMAS. 

